Mike Nolan, former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, addresses the media after being introduced as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

New 49ers coach Mike Nolan returned from Senior Bowl practices in Alabama with a new coordinator. According to a published report, Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy has been named to the same post with San Francisco.

The news signals a return to the West Coast offense, which was started by former 49ers coach Bill Walsh. The New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting the hiring today, citing an unnamed source.

McCarthy, 41, learned West Coast offense from former 49ers receivers coach Paul Hackett, who served under Walsh from 1983-85. Hackett hired McCarthy in 1989 to work with quarterbacks and receivers at the University of Pittsburgh, where Hackett was the head coach.

When Hackett left Pitt and returned to the NFL as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, he brought McCarthy, who coached Joe Montana and Rich Gannon in his six seasons in Kansas City. (Hackett was recently fired as the Jets offensive coordinator is the now the quarterbacks coach in Tampa Bay.)

McCarthy had interviewed with Lions coach Steve Mariucci for their offensive coordinator opening, but Mariucci opted for Ted Tollner, who served as the 49ers' offensive coordinator last season under Dennis Erickson.

McCarthy led an offensive revival in New Orleans. Before cooling off this season, the Saints scored a franchise-record 49 touchdowns in 2003, which led the NFC.

The 49ers' lack of offensive talent could have been seen as a deterrent to any offensive coordinator candidate, but the team also affords opportunity. Since Nolan is primarily a defensive coach, the offensive coordinator could have a great deal of control over the building of an offense.

In another 49ers development, former Cowboys offensive line coach George Warhop is close to signing for the same position with the 49ers.

Warhop was fired by Bill Parcells after the Cowboys finished 6-10 last season, despite a revived running game. He also has been offensive line coach for Arizona.

With the Cardinals and Cowboys, Warhop has a history of limiting sacks. In his first season with Dallas (2003), the Cowboys went from 54 sacks allowed to 37, the same number they allowed in 2004. While in Arizona, the Cardinals sack totals declined in each of Warhop's first four seasons.

The 49ers allowed 52 sacks last season, the second highest total in team history.

On the personnel front, the 49ers interviewed Jacksonville's director of pro personnel Charles Bailey and Colts assistant general manager Chris Polian on Wednesday. Mike Butler, the Colts' director of college scouting, is due in today for an interview.

Nolan was expected to return from Alabama last night to join the 49ers' interview team in their search for a personnel chief.